Wrong number

Chapter 2

Asher didn't speak, but one of his teammates, drawn by the commotion, piped up, "You're looking for Blake? He's over at the tennis courts next door."

"Oh, okay" I released Asher's wrist, "Thanks."

I headed towards the tennis courts, letter in hand. Whispers start behind me.

"Holy crap, this girl's bold! She likes Blake?!"

"Yeah that guy's so... creepy. What girl would like him?"

"Blake got looks, though. A different vibe from Asher - pretty, almost. Guess some people are just into that face."

"Hey, Asher, why so quiet?" His teammate faced him trying to get a look at his face. "Asher, where you going?! You're not grabbing food with us?"

Footsteps hurried after me. Soon, a figure blocked my path. I blinked, "Asher? Do you have something else to say?"

Asher frowned, looking at the letter in my hand. He seemed confused by his own actions, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Nothing, I just... Blake can be difficult. You don't know him well. Just showing up might piss him off. Maybe I could give him that letter for you?"

The comments exploded.
(What's this? Is Luna playing hard to get?)

(It scared me for a sec! I thought the male lead actually liked this plain Jane. Clearly he's just being kind)

(Gotta admit though, when Asher screwed up that big game last year, Luna's comfort was key. If I were him, I might've caught feelings too.)

Watching the comments, my mind drifted. They meant that crucial basketball game last fall. Asher messed up the final play, and they lost.

Teammates tried to console him, but he could feel their disappointment. He couldn't get rid of the crushing shame.

I'd blown up his phone with messages, getting nothing back. Finally I sang him a song deliberately off-key through voice messages.

He finally responded, "Stop. You're gonna kill me." His voice was weary, but it held a hint of a laugh. I talked him through it all night, finally lifting his spirits.

The comments endless talking got me out of my head.

(That was Luna stealing the female lead's scene! Asher could never fall for her. He only ever liked Chloe.)

(Exactly! He fell for Chloe at first sight. He only added Luna because he mixed them up! Otherwise, Luna would never have made it onto his contact list!)

That sounded about right. I shook my head at Asher, "No need. Blake and I are pretty close."

Asher froze, "How?"

I leaned in, lowering my voice conspiratorially," Actually, we've known each other for three years. Just... only online. We never met face-to-face."

I added, sounding a little shy, "Seeing as we're graduating soon, I wanted to confess in person. Give myself a shot."

The comments flooded back in,
("Wait, did she mistake someone too?)

(Perfect! Luna goes after the creepy villain guy. Leave our male lead alone!)

(But Asher's expression looks kinda off?)

Asher froze in front of me, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn't. It was kind of amusing.

I looked past him. My expression brightened up,
"I see him! Asher, catch you later!"

Asher blurted out, "Are you sure you're not mistaking?"

I paused, "Mistaking about what?"

Asher gritted his teeth, "You said you've never met. How can you be sure it's Blake you've been talking to?"

I laughed, "if it's not him, could it be you?"

Asher denied it almost instantly, "No, it's not me."

I stared at him for a moment. Asher couldn't meet my eyes.

I nodded, "Right. So Asher, don't worry about my business, okay?"

With that, I quickly stepped around him and ran towards the group just leaving the tennis courts.